Tennis players who decide to take time off to undergo fertility protection procedures such as egg or embryo freezing will now be eligible for a protected ranking under new rules introduced by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA). This significant development allows players ranked within the top 750 to receive a Special Entry Ranking (SER), giving them the ability to enter up to three tournaments upon their return.
The SER will be determined by calculating a player’s average ranking over a 12-week period before and during their absence. It will be applicable for entry into tournaments up to the WTA 500 level. This change acknowledges the growing number of athletes who are taking proactive steps to preserve their fertility while managing their careers.
In recent years, the WTA has been increasingly responsive to the needs of players who wish to plan for their families without sacrificing their professional aspirations. Earlier this year, the association introduced paid maternity leave and enhanced provisions for players returning from childbirth. Those who take time off to give birth can now use their previous ranking to enter up to 12 tournaments over a span of three years.
This new policy extends support to players who, while not necessarily pregnant, are undergoing intensive fertility procedures that often require time off training, exposure to hormonal treatments, and careful recovery. These treatments can temporarily impact an athlete’s physical conditioning and performance, making ranking protection an important consideration.
The initiative also reflects broader efforts to provide a supportive and flexible environment for female athletes. Players have increasingly spoken out about the importance of being able to take control of their reproductive health without fear of losing ground in their careers. These changes ensure that female tennis professionals have the freedom to make choices about their bodies and future families without jeopardizing their competitive standing.
For many athletes, the off-season has become a window to address fertility, including procedures such as egg retrieval, which involves hormone injections and physical recovery. The new protected ranking system offers reassurance that their absence from the court for medical and personal reasons will not be penalized.
This policy is being welcomed as a step forward in creating a more equitable sporting environment. It recognizes the unique challenges faced by female athletes and promotes a culture in which career planning and family planning are not mutually exclusive. By providing structural support for fertility-related absences, the WTA is helping to ensure that athletes can continue to compete at the highest levels while making empowered, informed choices about their futures.
